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Comformation
Breed showing can be an expensive hobby, however it can also take over your life completely.
What do I need? First of all you need a pedigree breed,
and what better breed than a Belgian Shepherd, whatever coat or colour.
There is an art to showing a dog, you need the right tools to present the
dog to look it’s best, where better to learn than going to a breed show
where your chosen breed is being shown, and go and watch them being prepared
for the showring and watch them in the ring, to see how they are handled.
How do I get started?
Ringcraft classes are the place to go to learn how to show your dog.
The Kennel Club
Usually has a list of registered ringcraft associations and could direct
you to your nearest. Some ringcraft society’s advertise at the local libraries,
in the vets surgery’s or even in pet shops, I find word of mouth to be a better
way of finding a good ringcraft class.
What about shows?
The dog press ‘Our Dogs’ and ‘Dog World’ have information on shows and other
interesting articles along with a ‘chances to learn’ column where you can find
where to attend teach in’s, workshops etc.
The first level of shows are ‘Companion Shows’, here your dog does not have to be
Kennel Club registered, you enter on the day. It is a good show to go to, to practise
your handling skills, the prizes are good too, many donated by the pet trade, as all
proceeds go to charities. You can also take along any other non pedigree member of
your household, as there are ‘novelty classes’ ie waggiest tail, prettiest bitch and
handsomest dog and great fun can be had.
If you enter the other Shows ie Open or Championship shows you have to send off your
entry in advance and your dog does have to be KC Registered.
Classes could be;
- Minor puppy: 6 – 9months
- Puppy: 6 – 12 months
- Junior: 6 – 18 months
- Special Yearling: 12-24 months
- Post Graduate any dog who hasn’t won a Challenge Certificate, or 5 or more
Post Grad classes or above
- Limit for dogs who haven’t won 3 CC’s or 7or more Limit classes or above
- Open which is Open to all dogs